International students lead to success for all

When international students from all parts of the globe choose the U.S. to study and contribute their talent, we all succeed. 

Fostering international student success through a coordinated national effort.

U.S. for Success seeks to position the United States to effectively compete and cooperate on a global stage by attracting top talent and ensuring the success of all international students. 

For us, success includes:

Building on the commitment of the U.S. government, higher education sector, and business community to more effectively welcome and retain international talent in a globally competitive market. We know globally mobile students have a choice as to where they study, live, and pursue post-graduation employment.

Increasing and diversifying international student enrollment, both in terms of countries of origin and the destinations within the U.S. for these students, including a broad range of higher education institutions, community colleges, historically Black colleges, and minority-serving institutions.

Supporting colleges and universities in best practices to ensure international student success. 

Our Goals

We aim to work in partnership with the U.S. government, higher education institutions, the business sector, and other key partners to foster supportive policies and practices that allow the U.S. to compete and cooperate effectively on the global stage by welcoming international students to our nation’s campuses and making pathways for them to apply their knowledge and skills in our local economies upon graduation. 

We have identified seven interconnected goals that must be met to enable the U.S. higher education system to continue as the leading destination for the world’s global talent. In addition to issuing policy recommendations and working with U.S. policymakers to meet these objectives, we will offer critical resources to support higher education institutions and organizations in expanding opportunities for an increasing diversity of international students to succeed in the U.S.

  • Establish a proactive strategy to successfully increase the number of international students who study here from all regions of the world and who can work in the U.S. post-graduation. This strategy should foster supportive federal policies and centralize and amplify critical resources. Building off the Joint Statement of Principles led by the Departments of Education and State and the U.S. government’s 2023 National Export Strategy, we aim to remove barriers and expand opportunities to an increasing diversity of international students choosing the U.S. to study and work. 


  • Strengthen coordination among organizations and institutions within the field of international and higher education while increasing support and collaboration from cross-sectoral players, including the business and foreign policy communities.

  • Diversify international students coming to the U.S., including countries and regions of origin, with an emphasis on those from the Global South, economically underrepresented students, and women. Our campuses benefit when they reflect the global community into which our students will graduate.

  • Expand the destinations for these students within the U.S. Build and increase capacity to welcome and support international students at a broad range of U.S. higher education institutions, including historically Black colleges, minority-serving institutions, and community colleges, as well as promoting English language programs as pathways to degree study.

  • Ensure student success and promote responsible and ethical practices in international student recruitment by supporting colleges and universities in best practices.

  • Ensure policies and practices that help U.S. institutions compete effectively to attract and support international students who are actively seeking to come to the United States and to enable businesses to hire them.

  • Establish facilitated pathways to employment-based visas and immigration for F-1 international students who are seeking to launch careers in the U.S. after graduation. Protect experiential learning programs that give students work experience like Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Our Executive Committee

Join Us

When international students choose the United States to study and pursue their careers, we all win. Join the coalition to position the U.S. as a competitive destination for top talent from around the world.

We welcome Partnerships with:

  • Membership associations and organizations

  • Higher education institutions

  • International education and exchange organizations

  • Immigration advocacy organizations

  • Policy think tanks 

  • Business sector

  • International student groups

Press

Featured
U.S. for Success Coalition Sets New Goals and Welcomes New Members to Achieve International Student Success

The U.S. for Success Coalition, a multi-sector effort founded a year ago to advance policies and practices that foster international student success in the United States, is marking its one-year milestone by reflecting on successes to date, announcing new members, and committing to new goals for 2025.

Updates from the Coalition’s Steering Committee

Since the U.S. for Success coalition launched six months ago, it has grown to 40 members; influenced federal policy impacting international student success and met regularly with relevant U.S. government officials; stood up two working groups focused on higher education engagement and protecting OPT; and contributed to new research on how to design a national strategy.

Recommendations to Increase and Diversify International Student Success

Coalition recommends actions for U.S. government to more effectively attract a greater and more diverse population of international students and ensure their success.